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On May twenty, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation that would reshape America. The Homestead Act offered something new: free land to anyone willing to claim it. For just a ten dollar filing fee, settlers could stake their claim to one hundred and sixty acres of government land. That was roughly the size of one hundred and twenty football fields. The process began at local land offices across the frontier. Hopeful homesteaders lined up with their applications. They swore they had never fought against the United States government. The law welcomed citizens and immigrants alike. This included single women and freed slaves. However, married women could not file claims on their own. Each applicant got a certificate and six months to begin building their new life. The real challenge started after filing. Homestead law demanded five years of living on the land and farming it. Settlers had to build a home. Even a simple sod house counted. They also had to farm part of their land. Government inspectors would come to check these requirements. They looked at everything from crop yields to building sizes. Daniel Freeman became the first official homesteader. He filed his claim near Beatrice, Nebraska, just after midnight on January one, 1863. His story shows the Act's promise. Freeman was a Union soldier who used his military service to meet residency requirements while stationed nearby. Within decades, his successful farm showed how the legislation could change both individual lives and entire regions. The impact on population was huge. Between 1862 and 1934, when the Act finally ended, over one point six million homestead applications were filed. Census data shows how entire states changed almost overnight. Nebraska's population exploded from twenty eight thousand in 1860 to over four hundred and fifty thousand by 1880. Similar patterns happened across Kansas, Colorado, and the Dakotas. Railroad companies advertised the opportunities. Immigrant communities helped each other succeed. Original claim documents tell amazing stories of determination. Swedish immigrants clustered in Minnesota. They brought farming techniques from Scandinavia. African American homesteaders moved to Kansas. They created all black towns like Nicodemus, seeking economic independence after slavery ended. Single women made up nearly twenty percent of all homesteaders. This challenged old ideas about frontier life. Agricultural development grew rapidly under the Act's influence. Settlers brought new crops suited to prairie conditions. This included drought resistant wheat varieties. These crops would eventually make the Great Plains America's breadbasket. The legislation encouraged trying new farming techniques. These ranged from dry farming methods to new irrigation systems. The Act's success rate tells a complex story. While one point six million claims were filed, only about seven hundred and eighty three thousand homesteaders successfully completed the five year requirement. Harsh weather, crop failures, and isolation defeated many dreams. Some settlers found their one hundred and sixty acres had poor soil or not enough water. Railroad companies and land speculators sometimes cheated the system. They used fake homesteaders to get valuable territory. These abuses sparked debates about the legislation's fairness. This led to reforms and additional land laws. The Homestead Act changed American agriculture and settlement patterns forever. It gave two hundred and seventy million acres of public land directly to individual families. That was an area larger than Texas and New Mexico combined. This massive land transfer created the foundation for modern American farming. It established the principle that ordinary citizens deserved opportunities to build wealth through land ownership. The legislation's legacy extends beyond agriculture into American identity itself. It embedded the belief that hard work could transform both landscape and fortune.

Annalisia did not want to be kidnapped by a dragon. Fortunately, good manners held the answer. "I'm sorry," she replied. "Do you have an appointment?" "Um, no," Redflame said. Annalisia checked her calendar. "Let's meet next Friday to discuss the matter." She wrote the time and date on a card and held it out. "Wait," the dragon began. But Annalisia was marching back into the castle. "I'm so looking forward to your next visit!," she called, swishing through the doorway. An idea was forming in her mind. Redflame didn't want to look ill mannered. There was plenty of time before the Dragon Ball. He flew home. On Friday, he was back. The previous visit had been a disaster. How had he allowed a princess to order him around? This time he'd kidnap her and be done with it! "You are a bit early," a wobbly kneed butler said. "The princess will be with you shortly." Redflame snarled in fury. He considered eating the butler, but that would be bad manners indeed. He sat down and gnawed on a stone wall in frustration.

My niece loves alphabet soup. Bring your camera so you can take a photograph of the elephant at the zoo. May I have your telephone number? Telegraphs are very uncommon nowadays. Phillip and Joseph wrote a paragraph about the atmosphere.

I felt slightly disbelieving as I read article after article. The man had even been the subject of a TV documentary! It was called "The Man Who Eats Badgers and Other Strange Tales." Apparently this man was famous for cooking roadkill; in fact, he had eaten nothing but roadkill for fifty years. He had eaten dead weasel, badger, hedgehog, skunk, squirrel, rabbit, rat, Labrador, cat, fox, mice, deer, and pigeons. His wife, needless to say, was a vegetarian. On the internet, I watched a documentary about how he was now writing a cookbook. He said that someday it would be a bestseller. I could not help but laugh as it quoted how he found the food "safe, healthy, legal, and cheap." And that "even the green stuff was good, if not a bit bland." I could hardly believe I had met such a person. He had hedgehog sandwiches, badger casserole, and skunk spaghetti! I could not wait to tell my dad the story. After all, it is not everyday you meet a celebrity chef who specializes in roadkill!

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Neither Kerry nor Zack could hit the target. "We will never be superheroes if we cannot hit the target," Zack said. Kerry and Zack looked over at the station next to theirs. A teenage girl was shooting. She made three bull's eyes in a row! "She is awesome!" Kerry said. "Did you see those bull's eyes?" Zack asked. Tia grinned and called to the girl. "Aliyah, come meet my new students," she said. The girl hurried over. Kerry and Zack stood quietly. They did not know what to say. Then Zack asked, "Are you Brave Bowie?" "No," the girl laughed. "My name is Aliyah. I am on the archery team. I have been practicing for years." Kerry smiled. "I am Kerry, and this is Zack," she said. "This is our first day here. We cannot even hit the target." "It takes practice to become a good archer," Aliyah said. "My first time, I hit everything except the target!"

Most people living in the thirteen colonies were farmers. This made land ownership an important part of colonial life. How land was distributed varied across the colonial regions. In New England, groups coming to the colonies were given a plot of land to form a town. The town's leaders were responsible for laying out the town and dividing the land among its inhabitants. They also decided what land to give each individual or family. New England towns had a town center and common lands shared by all townspeople to graze their livestock. Land distribution and ownership was very different in the Southern colonies. People living in this region developed larger tracts of land to grow cash crops. Over time, indentured servants who had served out their contracts were given land. Colonists in Virginia spread westward from the coast along the James River. Yeoman farmers became the largest population in all colonial regions. A small part of the population, primarily in the Southern colonies, became large landowners who owned plantations. Enslaved workers did the bulk of the work on these large plantations. They did everything from planting and harvesting to woodwork and metalwork, in addition to carrying out domestic chores in the large plantation homes. Life for enslaved workers was extremely difficult; you'll learn more about the institution of slavery and its effects in the next chapter. Although farming was the main economic activity in the colonies, artisans played an important role in colonial society. They were found in all colonial regions, mostly in coastal towns and cities. Artisans were responsible for providing valuable goods and services, including shipbuilding, carpentry, shoemaking, baking, and silversmithing. Some colonial artisans were master craftspeople who had studied and practiced their trade for many years. To learn a trade, children as young as thirteen worked as an apprentice for a master. Apprentices were similar to indentured servants. They worked for a set number of years without earning a wage. Journeymen were former apprentices who could work for wages. Depending on the trade and their skill level, some artisans could grow very wealthy. Their goods were sold mostly to people locally but also to people in other colonies.

"I'm determined to become a doctor," declared Anne with conviction. "That's absurd," said one of her friends, dismissively. "Women don't become doctors." "I'll prove it's possible," Anne replied confidently. "You're nuts, Anne!" "I might be nuts," Anne responded, "but sometimes nuts grow into mighty oak trees." Anne Austin Young was born in the late eighteen hundreds in Cross Hill, South Carolina. She was a prodigy, demonstrating exceptional intelligence from a young age. At the remarkably young age of fourteen, she enrolled in Presbyterian College. Excelling academically, she graduated as the valedictorian of her class. Following her college graduation, Anne set her sights on a career in medicine, a field primarily dominated by men and generally closed to women during that era. Despite societal norms and even skepticism from some relatives, Anne was driven by her innate talent and a deep seated passion for healing. Her parents supported her ambition wholeheartedly. She pursued her medical studies in Pennsylvania, once again graduating at the top of her class. Anne returned to her home state of South Carolina after completing her medical education. Before she could officially practice medicine, she needed to pass the state medical examination. Anne didn't just pass the exam, she achieved the highest score recorded in the state at that time. In the early years of her practice, Anne navigated the rough roads of Anderson County in an old car, making house calls to attend to her patients. Locals often said, "There goes that strange woman doctor."

"Only a single grape for my daughter," said the merchant. "You can have one," said the bear, "as long as you give me that which first greets you when you return home." The merchant did not think too much of the bear's request and agreed. The bear gave him the largest, juiciest grape. The merchant was happy. When he got home, his youngest daughter rushed out to greet him. She always missed him while he was away. She thanked him for the beautiful grape and hugged him tightly. The merchant was heartbroken. He wondered when the bear would take away his precious daughter. Exactly one year later, the bear appeared. "Give me that which first greeted you when you returned home." The merchant said, "It was my dog." The bear growled, for he knew the merchant was lying. "Keep your promise, or I will eat you!" The merchant tried again. "Take the apple tree, then. It was the first thing I touched." This time, when the bear growled, he showed his teeth. "Keep your promise, or I will eat you this instant!" Sadly, the merchant brought out his youngest daughter. The bear whistled.

At the age of twenty, Alexander set out to conquer distant lands. He had a dream of expanding his territory to grow his kingdom. And he did just that. Alexander the Great is famous for creating one of the largest empires in ancient history. He led his army to conquer lands far beyond Macedonia, including Egypt, Persia, and parts of India. Alexander's conquests spread Greek culture and ideas to many different places, mixing with local cultures and influencing them. Alexander also inspired countless stories and legends about his adventures and battles. People remember him not just as a king who conquered lands, but also as a character in many tales of heroism and exploration. And while many celebrate him, there are others who find his conquest brutal. In conquering so many lands, he also caused many deaths, and the displacement of people. Regardless, Alexander the Great's legacy is a big part of history. The cities he founded and the spread of Greek culture helped shape the development of Western civilization. Even though his empire broke apart after he died, the blending of cultures, known as Hellenistic culture, continued to influence people for centuries. Alexander the Great was more than just a king, he was one of the most successful military leaders in history. His bravery, vision and ambition lead him to extraordinary achievements. Alexander's story teaches us about the power of leadership and the lasting impact one person's dreams can have on the world.

Black bears are the most common bears in North America. These mammals are found across Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. Most black bears live in forests. Some make their homes in swamps, mountains, scrublands, and tundra. Not all black bears are black. Those in western areas often have brownish fur. Some black bears in the far north are blue gray or creamy white. Male black bears are larger than females. Some measure more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. They can weigh more than 600 pounds (272 kilograms). Black bears move quickly for their size. They can even climb trees with the help of their short, strong claws. Black bears are omnivores. They mainly eat grasses, berries, nuts, and insects. They also dine on fish and carrion. Black bears also like to eat food left out by humans. They find these snacks around campsites and hiking trails. This is dangerous for both the bears and humans. In summer, black bears begin to eat large amounts of food. In fall, they gather leaves and twigs to build a nest in their den. This is how they prepare for winter. In late fall, black bears start their dormant season. They will sleep in their dens for six to seven months. They will not eat, drink, or exercise until spring. In January, female black bears wake up to give birth. Cubs stay in their mom's den for several more months. They nurse while she sleeps. Mom and her cubs leave their den in spring. The cubs will stay with mom for another year. She protects them as they learn to survive on their own!

A bell rings. It is time for school! Who helps kids at school? The principal runs the school. She is in charge. A teacher helps Ava learn. Ava writes new words. Liam tries to add numbers. The teacher is busy. A teacher's aide helps Liam. Emma wants to read about cats. A librarian helps her find the right books. Mason is hurt. A nurse cares for him. Noah is sad. A counselor listens. She helps him feel better. What a mess! A janitor cleans up. Many helpers work at a school. They help kids learn and grow.

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Here is the letter written by Dolley Madison. Dear Sister, My husband left me yesterday morning to join General Winder. He inquired anxiously whether I had courage or firmness to remain in the President's house until his return tomorrow, or the succeeding day. And on my assurance that I had no fear but for him, and the success of our army, he left, urging me to take care of myself, and of the Cabinet papers, public and private. I have since received two dispatches from him, written with a pencil. The last is alarming because he desires I should be ready at a moment's notice to enter my carriage, and leave the city. He said that the enemy seemed stronger than had at first been reported, and it might happen that they would reach the city with the intention of destroying it. I am accordingly ready. I have pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage. Our private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to procure wagons for its transportation. I am determined not to go myself until I see mister Madison is safe, so that he can accompany me, as I hear of much hostility toward him. Disaffection stalks around us. My friends and acquaintances are all gone. French John, a faithful servant, with his usual activity and resolution, offers to spike the cannon at the gate, and lay a train of powder, which would blow up the British, if they enter the house. To this last proposition I positively object, without being able to make him understand why all advantages in war may not be taken.

The king began to wonder if the crown maker had fooled him. But he did not want to break the crown to find out. One day, Archie was going to take a bath. The tub was full of water. When he got in, some water spilled out. He realized the amount of water that spilled was specific to the weight he added. Then he had a great idea. If he put the crown in water, he would know how much water should spill if it was real gold. He was so happy with his idea that he ran outside, forgetting to dress, yelling, "Eureka!" This means, "I found the answer!" They put the crown in the water. More water spilled out than if it were all gold. This meant the crown maker had lied about using all the gold. Thanks to Archie, the king learned the truth. Archie's' bright idea was more special than the crown.

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The leaves on the trees were starting to turn many colors. James and Pat could see red leaves, yellow leaves, brown and orange leaves. It was Fall! They wanted to go the Harvest Fest at the park. "Can we walk to the park this morning?" James asked Grandma. "Sure. Have fun and be safe," she said. James and Pat walked to the park. The Harvest Fest was full of fun things to do and see. There were lots of people and colors and smells. Pat and James saw some friends from school there, too. Then they saw a farmer's market. The market had fresh eggs, butter, and milk. It also had yellow corn and things that grow on a farm. The market also had many flowers. Pat smelled the yellow and white flowers. "That is a daisy," said James. "Look! A tractor!" said James. A big orange tractor from a farm was parked in the dirt. Pat and James ran to the tractor. Kids could get on it. They had to take turns. Then they saw a big barn. Not a real barn, but a play barn. There was also a real farmer there. He had a goat, a pig, and a rabbit. The kids could pet and feed them. "I will be a farmer when I grow up. Will you be a farmer with me?" said Pat to James. "I want to be a doctor. But I think you will be great farmer," he said as they walked home.

In addition to working for their families, Inca men were required to spend part of their time working for the Sapa Inca and the empire. They had to work on construction projects, build roads, or serve in the military. The mandatory work of the Inca men helped maintain the empire and its network of roads. Because this labor resulted in protection for them and their families, many worked willingly. Inca farmers raised crops for their families and also for the empire. The Sapa Inca and the priests used only a small part of the goods produced. The rest were stored in warehouses and given to those who were too old or too sick to work. When crops failed and times were hard, food and goods were given to the working people, too. This system ensured that no one went hungry. The rule of the Sapa Inca was absolute. Government officials traveled throughout the empire to make sure his laws were obeyed. One of those officials was known as He Who Sees Everything. He Who Sees Everything was responsible for visiting Inca villages and making them pay their taxes. Oddly enough, he also served as a matchmaker. He Who Sees Everything would arrive in an Inca village every few years and order the villagers to gather so that he could take a census. The more people in the village, the more the village had to pay in taxes. Once the counting was over, He Who Sees Everything asked unmarried women over a certain age to step forward. The official interviewed each young woman, and if one was found especially worthy, she was sent to Cuzco to become one of the Sapa Inca's many wives. Once these chosen few had been selected, He Who Sees Everything called all the unmarried young men before him. He proceeded to pair off the young men and women. He could make dozens of marriages on the spot. No questions were asked. After all, He Who Sees Everything was a servant of the Sapa Inca, and the marriages he was arranging were for the good of the empire.